My directions for IQ challenged idiots who don't EVER think. I'm using the examples of other idiots. Please note that almost every one of these photos were taken right here on Guam.
"How to destroy a reef"
1. Lets start with standing on the coral heads and reef formations.
Who does this? Tourists, local divers in dive classes and snorkelers. A conservative estimate is that over 500 tourists are snorkeling, diving, and taking introductory scuba dives every day.
Almost every dive class taught here has students standing on the reef. So...if students are doing this in their classes don't you think this is sending a strong message from their dive instructor that it's acceptable to do this? FACT: Some responsible instructors only use sand flats. But many don't.
Next time you go diving and see a class standing on the reef, and it's not a sand area, go up to the instructor and ask them why they're doing that.
As far as the tour industry is concerned, the power of the dollar rules, and VERY few have any interest in preserving the reefs. There is NO, repeat NO, enforcement of a long standing law against this. Go to Outhouse beach or the Piti Bomb Holes any day of the week and watch.
2. Grab the reef and hold on. While you're at it, break off a little coral. Of course, you bought gloves so you won't be harmed by the dangerous man eating coral that will bite and harm you.
3. Clear a lot of land near the ocean and don't bother to put up any containment walls or barriers. That way when it rains it will definitely drain down to the reef. Then, over a period of time it will settle on the reefs and smother the corals.
Want proof? Virtually the entire reef line from the Agat Marina south has been 70% destroyed by sediment run off. At the time it happened everyone blamed the road construction contractor, but a certain religious group quietly moved tons of soil very near the reef near Facpi point without any containment whatsoever. This massive amount of sediment is what really damaged the reefs. In heavy rains the silt "bloom" can extend out over 3 miles.
If you have land in the foot hills, set as many fires as you can to catch deer. That way you get rid of all of the growth and the deer can come in and eat the little grass shoots that will regrow.
4. Put in as many fish nets as possible. That way two things happen. You kill a lot of reef fish and slowly kill a lot of coral.
5. Leave your mark forever. Both of these coral heads died.
6. When you get near a sand pit kick like hell. That way all of the sand will billow up and settle on the reef.
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DO YOU GET THE MESSAGE? Don't be a dive idiot.